Women and Climate Change
November 19, 2009
The Times today carries an extract from the UN’s State of World Population report:
- Women have a lower carbon footprint than men because they buy fewer carbon-intensive goods and are more likely to recycle than male consumers
- They also eat less in proportion to their body size and often consume more vegetables and less meat than men
- Women also tend to be more vulnerable to climate change, especially in poorer countries where they make up the larger share of agricultural work
- Even in richer countries, women manage households and care for the family which often limits their mobility and increases their vulnerability to sudden weather related natural disasters
- The report also found that drought and erratic rainfall forced women to work harder to secure food, water and energy for their homes
Food for thought indeed. For the whole story, click on http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article6922511.ece